I think that Under armour told KD not to play due to him signing that huge contract with them. With him being their biggest brand ambassador, it would do them no good to have him succumb to injury whilst playing for the Nike-sponsered team USA.

I'm kind of surprised in the sense that Durant has always wanted to prove that he can be the #1 guy. He did earn the MVP and other awards, but here was his chance to lead a disgruntled and slightly depressed USA squad to a gold medal and to be the leader of the national team.

Then again, 300 million Dollars is a lot of money. So I guess Im not surprised.

Durant is only 25, but I know of another 25 year old (it was his birthday today) who spent it in the gym and who will pounce on this opportunity to play for team USA.

As for Demar, it is almost 100% guaranteed that he will be on the Team USA squad. Coach K might ask him to carry a major portion of the scoring burden for Team USA.

Last edited by YoungGunRaptor; Thu Aug 7th, 2014 at 09:47 PM.

“You can sink and drown, or you can float, and we out here like Michael Phelps."

As for Demar, it is almost 100% guaranteed that he will be on the Team USA squad. Coach K might ask him to carry a major portion of the scoring burden for Team USA.

The situation has the potential to be very good for the Raptors, not just in terms of play, with two strong scorers in the backcourt in a more confident DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, but in terms of attracting top-notch talent in the future.

Given the state of his back, that is neither a surprise nor a disgrace.

state of his back ? im not sure i understand ? anyways yeah i know i never suggested it was a surprise or disgrace, he was 34 and knew we were years away. but yea after going deep in the playoffs he did say "exhaustion"

Edit: Hey Kevin we just gave you $300M, you're not going to play until the season starts and you start wearing our shoes where it matters.

Definitely. I don't think they want to deal with a Paul George/Derrick Rose type of situation where they have to allocate major attention towards an athlete's recovery rather than to his/her dominance in their sport.

Adidas was able to handle Derrick Rose's first injury quite well with the #thereturn campaign and all of the merchandise centred around that, but they took a major hit after he tore his meniscus. There was even a point when Derrick Rose jerseys and signature shoes were being put on sale racks after that second injury.

“You can sink and drown, or you can float, and we out here like Michael Phelps."

International play is a bit different for a guy like Durant, who is growing up with all these World Cup, FIBA, and Olympic playing opportunities. We like to point to the fact that all the top dogs came out for the original Dream Team, but most of them only did that once. It wasn't summer after summer for the duration of an entire career. I'm fine with these guys pacing themselves, even if some of the decisions are influenced by $$$$.

I, for one, hope Plumlee makes the team. Seeing the USA lose is always really fun, and although he doesn't suck, there are obviously better options at this point. Not sure what the fuss is about. Go Mason!

Wait a minute.. how many teams qualify for Olympics from FIBA WC?? If only one, and if USA don't win it.. then they'll play in fiba americas with us? awesome.

Not awesome at all for Canada and Olympic qualification. Canada qualifying for Rio is not a slam dunk. They need the USA to win in the World Championship to improve the odds of making it. If the USA does not win in Spain and has to qualify at FIBA Americas then there will be two tournament qualifiers plus host Brazil from FIBA Americas. If USA wins in Spain then they become the fourth team from the Americas going to Rio in 2016.

Then he better not play Drew league...
Or pick up...
He'll be should probably stay on his feet until October 26th.

Exactly, basketball isn't football, the likelihood of getting injured is very low. These players need to be playing/practicing somewhere and no matter where the likelihood of blowing out a knee, breaking an ankle or pulling a muscle is the same.